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The End of Roaming Charges in the EU

 

June 15, 2017, marked a significant milestone in European telecommunications history with the introduction of the “Roam Like at Home” regulation. This initiative abolished roaming charges for EU travelers, allowing them to make calls, send texts, and use mobile data across EU countries without extra fees.
 

However, does this mean that all calls and internet usage within the EU are truly free? Not exactly. While roaming charges for calls and texts have been eliminated, data usage is still subject to certain limitations and fair use policies imposed by mobile operators. Let's take a closer look at the current roaming prices and conditions in Poland.
 

Roaming Regulations in Poland

 

Roaming policies apply to Poland’s four major mobile network operators:
 

• Play
• Orange Polska
• T-Mobile Polska
• Plus

 

Under the EU’s updated rules, outgoing voice calls within the EU remain free as long as they fall within an operator’s fair use policy. For example, some Polish providers grant a certain number of free minutes per year, after which additional charges apply:
 

• Plus: 300 free minutes per year; beyond that, calls are charged.
• Play: 300-400 free minutes per year, depending on the tariff plan.
• T-Mobile: 500 free minutes per year.
• Orange: The only Polish operator offering completely free incoming and outgoing calls within the EU.

 

For calls made outside the EU, standard rates still apply, typically around 6.15 PLN (€1.47) per minute.
 

What About Internet Access?

 

Mobile data remains a paid service under the fair use policy. Although roaming data rates have significantly decreased, Polish operators still impose limits:
 

• T-Mobile: After using 1GB of roaming data, additional charges of 3.63 PLN per 100KB apply (depending on the plan).
• Plus: Charges 0.19 PLN per 1MB within the EU and 2.46 PLN per MB outside the EU.
• Play: 0.09 PLN per 1MB within the EU.
• Orange: 0.10 PLN per 1MB within the EU.

 

This means that while short-term roaming within the EU is convenient, using high amounts of data (e.g., streaming, video calls, or frequent browsing) can still lead to unexpected charges.
 

Are There Any Additional Restrictions?

 

Yes. While the Roam Like at Home regulation applies across the EU, mobile operators can enforce fair use policies to prevent abuse. For example:
 

• Truly unlimited data – no fair use limitations or extra fees.
• High-speed 4G/LTE connection – ideal for streaming, video calls, and navigation.
• A secure and private network – avoiding the risks of public WiFi hotspots.
• Affordable pricing compared to expensive roaming fees.

 

Moreover, certain non-EU European countries (such as Switzerland, the UK, and Turkey) are not covered by the EU’s roaming agreement, meaning higher roaming charges still apply in these destinations.
 

What’s the Best Alternative?

 

For travelers who need unlimited internet without restrictions, renting a Polish WiFi device or using an eSIM is a much better option. Unlike mobile operators' roaming plans, Polish WiFi offers:


Truly unlimited data – no fair use limitations or extra fees.

High-speed 4G/LTE connection – ideal for streaming, video calls, and navigation.

A secure and private network – avoiding the risks of public WiFi hotspots.

Affordable pricing compared to expensive roaming fees.
 

Conclusion

 

While EU roaming policies have significantly improved since 2017, there are still hidden restrictions and fair use limitations that can result in unexpected costs. If you're traveling to Poland, checking your operator’s policy or choosing a portable WiFi solution can save you from expensive roaming fees and ensure a hassle-free internet experience!